Innovation

Megan Corlis

Director Research & Development

Megan Corlis is the current Director of Research and Development at Helping Hand. Megan has worked at Helping Hand for over 20 years, during this time she has held positions such as Residential Site Manager, Community Services Manager and Acting General Manager. She has been in her current role for over 10 years.

Megan is an adjunct in the School of Health Sciences at the University of South Australia (UniSA) and is an active participant in a number of committees and projects with the university.

Megan has a vast and diverse experience in ageing having worked in the public sector for a number of years in clinical and management roles. Her experience includes Geriatric Assessment, Acute Medical Care and Palliative Care.

Megan works to increase the profile older people in the community so they can enjoy full citizenship and actively exercise their rights. She looks to achieve this through research, partnerships and design which engages with older people actively and focuses on people as individuals.

Several highlights of Megan’s career have been:

Worked to create the first external Enterprising Partnership between UniSA and Helping Hand.

Participant in ARC Engagement & Impact Assessment on the Health and Life Sciences Panel (ARC EI)

Worked closely with Dr Alexandre Kalache (current President of the International Longevity Centre in Brazil, previously Director of Ageing and Health Programs WHO) who was South Australia’s Thinker in Residence for Age Friendly Communities.

The inaugural Manager of the first ‘Ageing in Place’ residential site in Australia which directly impacted to combine hostels and nursing homes in the Aged Care Act 1997.

Professional Interests

Use of technology in an ageing environment
Enacting research into organisational culture
Older people’s rights and recognition
Age Friendly Communities

Gibb H, Freeman M, Ballantyne A, Corlis M (2016) The role of teamwork motivations in care delivery: A cultural analysis of team behaviours in aged care (being considered for publication), The Gerontologist